Child Protection

The child protection programme aims to strengthen the protective environment for all children and youth through advocacy, policy refinement, legislative reforms and development of national capacity to monitor, analyse and report violations of child protection rights.

On 26 March 2015, the conflict in Yemen the conflict in Yemen escalated into a brutal war as aerial bombardment and street fighting gripped most of the country putting millions of the country’s civilian population, especially children at peril.

During conflict, flight and displacement, women and children are at heightened risk of violence, abuse and exploitation. At least thousands of children are fighting on the frontlines or being used by the warring parties, often unaware of the dangers that surround them. Others have been pushed into child labour or early marriage, and experience discrimination in host communities.

What puts children at even greater risk of exploitation is the fact that almost all children (83 per cent12) in Yemen don’t have birth certificates. Without birth registration, their invisibility in the eyes of authorities makes it more likely that their experiences will go unnoticed or unchallenged.

Girls and women are especially vulnerable. Many walk through highly militarized areas in search of food and water. They put themselves at risk of harassment, assault and attack, and in some cases are subjected to sexual exploitation or extortion to access basic goods and services.

UNICEF in action

To help conflict-affected children, including IDPs, overcome the psychological distress, UNICEF is providing psychosocial support through schools and community-based child-friendly spaces.

Along with other UN agencies and partners, UNICEF continues to generate data on grave violations against children, helping to provide a response to cases and advocate with warring parties to protect civilians.

UNICEF works with the Executive Mine Action Centre to carry out mass community- and school-based mine risk education.

In light of the prevailing environment characterized by conflict, violence and displacement, UNICEF will continue to work with its partners to create a protective environment where children are can grow and thrive.